J. George Mikelsons
Encyclopedia
Juris George Mikelsons is a former airline executive and airline pilot in the United States
and the founder of ATA Airlines
. He was born in Riga
, Latvia
, in 1938 on the eve of World War II
. His family fled to Germany
during the mid-1940s to escape the Soviet
occupation of his native land.
, during the 1950s where his father was offered a job as a violin
ist for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
.
Mikelsons finally began pursuing his passion when he saw a sign offering flights for under $10. It was then that he flew for the first time. This flight sparked his desire to enter the aviation
industry. He immediately began flying lessons and became chief pilot
and director
of the Voyager 1000 travel club.
, which he titled "Miss Indy". Ambassadair was a charter-based airline which provided cheap vacation fares. Mikelsons and an employee piloted the plane, loaded the luggage, cleaned the cabin, and served as the tour guide. His hard work and determination allowed him to purchase additional planes for his charter-based airline service. In 1984, after the deregulation of the Airline industry, Mikelsons formed Amtran, Inc., the former parent company of American Trans Air, which later became ATA Airlines
, headquartered near Indianapolis International Airport
. He also formed ATA Leisure Corp., Amber Travel, ATA Training Corp., ATA Cargo, and ExecuJet.
In 1993, ATA made its initial public offering, trading on the NASDAQ
National Market System under the symbol "AMTR". Mikelsons, a noted conservative always notorious for putting his money where his mouth is, purchased a 75% stake in the company. In 1998, Mikelsons retired, giving the reigns of the company to John Tague. After the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, the slump in airline travel and rising fuel costs severely impacted ATA.
Mikelsons came out of retirement to save his troubled airline. Unfortunately, the industry had changed dramatically since Mikelsons had been active. Most ATA executives during his second tenure as CEO credit his management style and poor decisions as key factors that eventually drove the airline into bankruptcy. ATA emerged from bankruptcy on February 28, 2006 after Mikelson had secured a major code-share agreement with Southwest Airlines
. Upon emergence from bankruptcy, Mikelson retired from ATA and its airline holdings, turning the reins of the company to a MatlinPatterson lead board of directors
and former Southwest executive John G. Denison
. ATA Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection again on April 2, 2008, and announced the discontinuation of all operations "following the loss of a key contract for our military charter business", ATA said on its website.
for outstanding leadership in the commercial aviation industry. Mikelsons owns and flies a Bell Jet Ranger III
helicopter. His wife Muriel is a concert violin
ist. They are active in a number of area charitable organization
s, including the Indianapolis Children's Museum
and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the founder of ATA Airlines
ATA Airlines
ATA Airlines, Inc., formerly known as American Trans Air, was an American low-cost scheduled service and charter airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana. ATA operated scheduled passenger flights throughout the US mainland and Hawaii, as well as military and commercial charter flights around the world...
. He was born in Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, in 1938 on the eve of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. His family fled to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
during the mid-1940s to escape the Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
occupation of his native land.
Early years
As a child, Mikelsons would peer out of bomb shelters to catch any glimpse he could of the planes being flown in the skies. This was the birth of his passion in life, which was to fly planes. His family moved to Indianapolis, IndianaIndianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, during the 1950s where his father was offered a job as a violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is a major American orchestra based in Indianapolis, Indiana.Annually, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs 200 concerts for over 350,000 people. It is the largest performing arts organization in Indiana. The ISO is currently one of only 18 American...
.
Mikelsons finally began pursuing his passion when he saw a sign offering flights for under $10. It was then that he flew for the first time. This flight sparked his desire to enter the aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
industry. He immediately began flying lessons and became chief pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
and director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
of the Voyager 1000 travel club.
Founding of ATA Airlines
In 1973, Mikelsons started his own travel club, Ambassadair, taking a loan and mortgaging his home to purchase a Boeing 720Boeing 720
The Boeing 720 is a four-engine narrow-body short- to medium-range passenger jet airliner. Developed by Boeing in the late 1950s from the Boeing 707, the 720 has a shorter fuselage and less range...
, which he titled "Miss Indy". Ambassadair was a charter-based airline which provided cheap vacation fares. Mikelsons and an employee piloted the plane, loaded the luggage, cleaned the cabin, and served as the tour guide. His hard work and determination allowed him to purchase additional planes for his charter-based airline service. In 1984, after the deregulation of the Airline industry, Mikelsons formed Amtran, Inc., the former parent company of American Trans Air, which later became ATA Airlines
ATA Airlines
ATA Airlines, Inc., formerly known as American Trans Air, was an American low-cost scheduled service and charter airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana. ATA operated scheduled passenger flights throughout the US mainland and Hawaii, as well as military and commercial charter flights around the world...
, headquartered near Indianapolis International Airport
Indianapolis International Airport
Indianapolis International Airport is a public airport located seven miles southwest of the central business district of Indianapolis, a city in Marion County, Indiana, United States. It is owned and operated by the Indianapolis Airport Authority...
. He also formed ATA Leisure Corp., Amber Travel, ATA Training Corp., ATA Cargo, and ExecuJet.
In 1993, ATA made its initial public offering, trading on the NASDAQ
NASDAQ
The NASDAQ Stock Market, also known as the NASDAQ, is an American stock exchange. "NASDAQ" originally stood for "National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations". It is the second-largest stock exchange by market capitalization in the world, after the New York Stock Exchange. As of...
National Market System under the symbol "AMTR". Mikelsons, a noted conservative always notorious for putting his money where his mouth is, purchased a 75% stake in the company. In 1998, Mikelsons retired, giving the reigns of the company to John Tague. After the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, the slump in airline travel and rising fuel costs severely impacted ATA.
Mikelsons came out of retirement to save his troubled airline. Unfortunately, the industry had changed dramatically since Mikelsons had been active. Most ATA executives during his second tenure as CEO credit his management style and poor decisions as key factors that eventually drove the airline into bankruptcy. ATA emerged from bankruptcy on February 28, 2006 after Mikelson had secured a major code-share agreement with Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline based in Dallas, Texas. Southwest is the largest airline in the United States, based upon domestic passengers carried,...
. Upon emergence from bankruptcy, Mikelson retired from ATA and its airline holdings, turning the reins of the company to a MatlinPatterson lead board of directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
and former Southwest executive John G. Denison
John G. Denison
John G. Denison was the acting CEO and Chairman of the Board of ATA Airlines and Global Aero Logistics, Inc at the time of ATA's shutdown due to financial insolvency. In 2006, Denison had announced that he would step down as ATA's CEO on January 1, 2007; Denison was replaced with Subodh Karnik...
. ATA Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection again on April 2, 2008, and announced the discontinuation of all operations "following the loss of a key contract for our military charter business", ATA said on its website.
Personal information
Mikelsons and his wife Muriel live near Indianapolis and have two children. He is the 1996 recipient of the Tony Jannus AwardTony Jannus Award
The Tony Jannus Award recognizes outstanding individual achievement in scheduled commercial aviation by airline executives, inventors and manufacturers, and government leaders. The award is conferred annually by the Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society and was first bestowed in 1964 in Tampa,...
for outstanding leadership in the commercial aviation industry. Mikelsons owns and flies a Bell Jet Ranger III
Bell 206
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...
helicopter. His wife Muriel is a concert violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist. They are active in a number of area charitable organization
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
s, including the Indianapolis Children's Museum
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the world's largest children's museum. It is located in the United Northwest Area neighborhood on Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums. It is with five floors of exhibit halls...
and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is a major American orchestra based in Indianapolis, Indiana.Annually, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs 200 concerts for over 350,000 people. It is the largest performing arts organization in Indiana. The ISO is currently one of only 18 American...
.
ATA Airlines chronology
| Company | History | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Ambassadair | American Trans Air's predecessor | 1973 |
| American Trans Air | American Trans Air becomes repesented by the letters ATA among the traveling community | 1973 - 2003 |
| AMTRAN | Mikelsons forms Amtran Amtran Amtran can refer to:*AmTran, a manufacturer of school buses.*The former holding company of ATA Airlines.*A Taiwanese TFT LCD manufacturer.... the parent company Parent company A parent company is a company that owns enough voting stock in another firm to control management and operations by influencing or electing its board of directors; the second company being deemed as a subsidiary of the parent company... to American Trans Air as he seeks to expand into other ancillary aviation and travel related businesses. |
1984 |
| AMTRAN Holdings | American Trans Air (ATA) officially changes its name to the more "user" friendly ATA Airlines ATA Airlines ATA Airlines, Inc., formerly known as American Trans Air, was an American low-cost scheduled service and charter airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana. ATA operated scheduled passenger flights throughout the US mainland and Hawaii, as well as military and commercial charter flights around the world... and the parent organization evolves into AMTRAN Holdings. |
2003 |
| ATA Holdings | Amtran Amtran Amtran can refer to:*AmTran, a manufacturer of school buses.*The former holding company of ATA Airlines.*A Taiwanese TFT LCD manufacturer.... Holdings modifies it name to become the more transparent, ATA Holdings in the hope of attracting investors attention. Its primary holding ATA Airlines ATA Airlines ATA Airlines, Inc., formerly known as American Trans Air, was an American low-cost scheduled service and charter airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana. ATA operated scheduled passenger flights throughout the US mainland and Hawaii, as well as military and commercial charter flights around the world... / American Trans Air emerges from the post 9/11 financial crisis after J. George Mikelsons forges an alliance with Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline based in Dallas, Texas. Southwest is the largest airline in the United States, based upon domestic passengers carried,... . |
2006 |
| New ATA Holdings | ATA Airlines ATA Airlines ATA Airlines, Inc., formerly known as American Trans Air, was an American low-cost scheduled service and charter airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana. ATA operated scheduled passenger flights throughout the US mainland and Hawaii, as well as military and commercial charter flights around the world... / American Trans Air - emerges from bankruptcy, J. George Mikelsons leaves the company, and the MatlinPatterson investment firm enters the picture. |
2006 |
| Global Aero Logistics, Inc. | With the MatlinPatterson investment firms decision to acquire World Air Holdings, along with its recent capital infusion into the New ATA Holdings, ATA Airlines ATA Airlines ATA Airlines, Inc., formerly known as American Trans Air, was an American low-cost scheduled service and charter airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana. ATA operated scheduled passenger flights throughout the US mainland and Hawaii, as well as military and commercial charter flights around the world... / American Trans Air parent company name changes yet again to Global Aero Logistics, Inc.. ATA Airlines ATA Airlines ATA Airlines, Inc., formerly known as American Trans Air, was an American low-cost scheduled service and charter airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana. ATA operated scheduled passenger flights throughout the US mainland and Hawaii, as well as military and commercial charter flights around the world... then assumes the role of Global Aero Logistics, Inc.'s primary holding among the overall corporate structure Structure Structure is a fundamental, tangible or intangible notion referring to the recognition, observation, nature, and permanence of patterns and relationships of entities. This notion may itself be an object, such as a built structure, or an attribute, such as the structure of society... of its parent organization Organization An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon - as we know `organ` - and it means a compartment for a particular job.There are a variety of legal types of... 's family Family In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children... of airlines. |
2007 |
| GAL Gal -Given name:* Gal Costa, Brazilian Bossa Nova singer*Gal Fridman , windsurfer and first Israeli to win an Olympic gold medal-Surname:* Austrian composer and artist Bernhard Gál* Jenny Gal, Dutch-Italian judoka... / Global Aero Logistics, Inc. |
ATA Airlines ATA Airlines ATA Airlines, Inc., formerly known as American Trans Air, was an American low-cost scheduled service and charter airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana. ATA operated scheduled passenger flights throughout the US mainland and Hawaii, as well as military and commercial charter flights around the world... and Global Aero Logistics, Inc. / GAL Gal -Given name:* Gal Costa, Brazilian Bossa Nova singer*Gal Fridman , windsurfer and first Israeli to win an Olympic gold medal-Surname:* Austrian composer and artist Bernhard Gál* Jenny Gal, Dutch-Italian judoka... 's acquisition and merging of World Airways / North American Airlines, is formally approved by World Air Holding's; (a "none public" corporate entity - with over 75% of the outstanding shares controlled my the MatlinPatterson firm Firm A firm is a business.Firm or The Firm may also refer to:-Organizations:* Hooligan firm, a group of unruly football fans* The Firm, Inc., a talent management company* Fair Immigration Reform Movement... s stockholders) on August 14th 2007. |
2008 |
| Global Aviation Holdings, Inc. | "The "GAL's" seek to "rebrand" Global Aero Logistics, Inc., again. The new name of AMTRAN's successor becomes Global Aviation Holdings. | 2009 |